From Turf to Grass: A's New Home in Sacramento

Ever wondered why baseball fields are sometimes covered in artificial grass? The Athletics, or A's, were planning to use it in their temporary home in Sacramento. But guess what? They've changed their mind! They'll be playing on real grass after all. This decision came after players expressed concern about the hot summers in Sacramento. Temperatures can reach a scorching 115 degrees (46 Celsius)! Major League Baseball (MLB) said it weighed the pros and cons and decided that natural grass is the way to go. The A's will start playing on this grass field in 2025. Sacramento's Sutter Health Park, where the A's will play, is also home to the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A team, the River Cats. The park has a capacity of about 10, 500 seats. The A's are moving from Oakland and will play in Sacramento until their new stadium in Las Vegas is built. Las Vegas will be their fourth home after Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland. But it's not just the playing surface that's changing. The A's are also building a new clubhouse with a locker room, weight room, and training room. The dugouts will be renovated for more space, the bullpens will be revamped, and a new batter's eye will be installed. These changes were made after the players' union raised some concerns. So, why the change from artificial turf to grass? Well, artificial turf can get really hot in the summer, which isn't great for players' safety. Plus, many players prefer the feel of natural grass. So, it's no surprise that MLB, the A's, and the players' union agreed that grass is the best choice. But what about the initial plan for artificial turf? MLB had said that it could handle up to 153 regular-season games over 186 days. However, the players' union had some worries, and after considering all the factors, everyone decided that grass is the better option. The A's will start their home games in Sacramento on March 31, 2025, against the Chicago Cubs. It's exciting to see how this new setup will work out for the team!